Raleigh Tops U.S. Cities In Speeding Crash Deaths

Raleigh, North Carolina, has found itself at the center of a troubling national trend: an alarming rise in deadly car crashes linked to speeding. According to a study released on January 27, 2026, by LendingTree, which analyzed data from the 2023 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Fatality Analysis Reporting System, Raleigh topped the list of major U.S. cities for the percentage of fatal crashes involving speeding. Out of 38 deadly crashes in Raleigh in 2023, 23 involved speeding—an astonishing 60.5% of all fatal incidents. This figure is nearly 10% higher than that of Kansas City, Missouri, the city with the second-highest rate at 51.2%.

The findings, first reported by WNCN, have sparked concern among residents and city officials alike. For many, the numbers are more than just statistics—they represent lives lost and families forever changed. Charlotte, another major North Carolina city, also appeared in the top 10, with 41.7% of its deadly crashes involving speeding, illustrating that this is not an isolated issue but part of a broader regional and national problem.

But Raleigh’s distinction as the city with the highest percentage of speeding-related fatalities is only one part of a much larger, more complex picture. On the same day, a separate analysis published by Anderson Blanda & Saltzman, a Louisiana-based law firm specializing in auto accident litigation, revealed that Southern states as a whole carry the highest child traffic death rates in the United States. Drawing on federal fatality data, the report identified marked geographic disparities, with six of the top ten states for child traffic deaths located in the South.

Montana topped the national list, with a child traffic death rate of 7.48 per 100,000 children—more than double the national average. However, the South’s representation among the most dangerous states for young travelers was unmistakable. According to the Anderson Blanda & Saltzman analysis, “Southern states consistently rank among those with the highest child traffic fatality rates.” The report also found that rural states, in particular, show elevated per capita child deaths, a pattern attributed to high-speed roadways and limited pedestrian infrastructure.

Why are children in the South and in rural areas at such heightened risk? The answer, according to the report, goes far beyond individual driver behavior. One senior research strategist involved in the analysis explained, “The data indicates that roadway design, enforcement, and geographic context are major drivers of risk. Children in rural and Southern states are often exposed to higher speeds and longer emergency response times.”

Another analyst added that while improvements in vehicle safety have been made in recent years, these advances haven’t been matched by consistent investment in safer road environments—especially in regions where children are more likely to travel on rural highways. “This trend suggests that improvements in vehicle safety have not been matched by consistent investment in safer road environments, particularly in regions where children are more likely to travel on rural highways,” the analyst said.

These findings are particularly sobering when considering that motor vehicle crashes remain one of the leading causes of death for children nationwide. The implications are clear: structural and environmental factors such as roadway design, enforcement of speed limits, and the overall geographic context play a critical role in determining risk. In other words, the roads themselves—and the policies governing them—can be as important as the drivers who use them.

The consequences of these disparities are far-reaching. For families and communities affected by traffic fatalities, the loss is devastating and often preventable. The Anderson Blanda & Saltzman report argues that understanding where risks are concentrated is essential for policymakers, transportation agencies, and local governments hoping to reduce these tragedies. The report recommends targeted infrastructure improvements, better speed management, and child-focused traffic policies as key strategies for reducing preventable deaths in high-risk regions.

It’s not just about adding more stop signs or lowering speed limits, though those measures can help. The analysis points to deeper issues—such as the lack of pedestrian infrastructure in rural areas, inconsistent law enforcement, and the challenges posed by long emergency response times. These structural challenges require coordinated, well-funded efforts at the local, state, and federal levels.

For Raleigh, the data is a wake-up call. The city’s nearly 10% lead over Kansas City in speeding-related fatalities suggests that existing safety measures are falling short. The fact that Charlotte also appears in the top 10 only underscores the need for a statewide approach to traffic safety, one that addresses both urban and rural risks.

Policymakers in North Carolina and across the South will likely face tough questions in the months ahead. How can they balance the need for efficient transportation with the imperative to protect the most vulnerable road users—children? What investments in infrastructure and enforcement will yield the greatest safety benefits? And how can they ensure that improvements in vehicle technology are matched by equally robust changes to the roads themselves?

These are not easy questions, but the stakes couldn’t be higher. As the Anderson Blanda & Saltzman report notes, “Child traffic fatalities represent a critical public safety concern with long-term consequences for families and communities.” The hope is that by shining a light on where and why these tragedies occur, leaders can better target their efforts and resources to save lives.

The methodology behind both the LendingTree and Anderson Blanda & Saltzman reports is rooted in publicly available federal traffic fatality data, lending additional weight to their findings. While the numbers are stark, they also offer a roadmap for action. By identifying the regions and factors most closely linked to fatal crashes, policymakers have an opportunity to make targeted, data-driven interventions.

For now, the message from the data is clear: speeding remains a deadly threat on American roads, especially in cities like Raleigh and across the Southern states. The combination of high speeds, insufficient infrastructure, and slow emergency response times creates a perfect storm of risk—one that demands urgent attention from those in power.

As families mourn loved ones lost to preventable crashes, the call for meaningful change grows louder. The challenge for officials, engineers, and advocates will be to turn these sobering statistics into safer streets and highways for everyone—especially the youngest and most vulnerable among us.

The numbers may be grim, but they also serve as a catalyst for action. With focused investments and a renewed commitment to safety, cities and states can begin to reverse these trends and ensure that the roads of tomorrow are far less perilous than those of today.